KANSAS CITY, M0. — The Kansas City Chiefs shuffled the roster deck again, amid reports All-Pro running back Jamaal Charles requires a second surgery on his right knee and starting left guard Parker Ehinger must miss the rest of the season with a knee injury.
Oct. 11, 2015; Kansas City, MO; Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles (25) changes directions on Chicago’s Shea McClellin (50) during the first half at Arrowhead Stadium. (Chris Neal/The Topeka Capital-Journal)
The Topeka Capital-Journal and ChiefsDigest.com first reported Ehinger would miss the remainder of his rookie season. The rookie lineman suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee when Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle Arthur Jones hit Ehinger below the knee at the end of a play in the third quarter.
Ehinger, a fourth-round pick in this year’s draft, quickly moved into the starting lineup at left guard during offseason training activities and solidified his hold on the job during training camp. A concussion and foot injury limited the rookie after the season opener. The Chiefs offensive line appeared to post its best performances of the season following Ehinger’s return to the lineup following the bye week.
Backup lineman Zach Fulton expects to start at left guard in place of Ehinger.
ESPN first reported the team plans to place Charles on injured reserve. Orthopedic surgeon James Andrews, who performed the original surgery on Charles’ torn ACL last October, examined the running back on Monday. The NFL Network later reported Charles requires a second procedure to repair the damage in his knee.
Charles must miss at least six weeks with the injured reserve designation. Reports indicate successful surgery could allow Charles to return in time for the playoffs, if the Chiefs advance.
The Chiefs have yet to officially announce the roster moves involving Charles and Ehinger.
The team also made three other roster moves, according to the NFL transaction report. The team signed running back Bishop Sankey from the New England Patriots practice squad and released linebackers Sam Barrington and Sio Moore.
The 24-year-old Sankey posted 762 rushing yards with three touchdowns as an occasional starter the last two seasons for the Tennessee Titans. He also picked up 272 receiving yards with a touchdown on 32 catches in 29 games games, including 12 starts.
The 5-10, 209-pound running back received his release from the Titans after this year’s preseason and signed with the Patriots practice squad. Sankey, a second-round pick for the Titans in the 2014 draft, played in college at the University of Washington.
Sankey’s acquisition comes as the Chiefs absorb the loss of Charles. The move also follows the uncertain status of running back Spencer Ware. Ware suffered a concussion during Sunday’s game at Indianapolis, and remains unclear if the back will be available when the Chiefs host Jacksonville Sunday.
Ware must receive clearance from an independent neurologist to play this week. If not, Charcandrick West steps into his role as starting running back.
The Chiefs acquired Barrington on waivers before the start of the season. The fourth-year linebacker played sparingly in two games for the team. The team signed Moore as a free agent last month. He was active for Sunday’s game against the Colts but did not play a snap.
The agent for rookie Terrance Smith also announced the Chiefs promoted the rookie linebacker from the team’s practice squad. The Chiefs have yet to confirm the transaction.
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Matt Derrick is the lead beat writer for ChiefsDigest.com and the Topeka Capital-Journal. Use the contact page to reach him or find him on Twitter: @MattDerrick.
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